Straightening out funding for bridge

There have recently been a couple letters to the editor raising concerns about the method of funding the proposed Longmeadow Parkway bridge. I would like to address some of the misconceptions about the funding and the project itself.

Longmeadow Parkway, which includes a new bridge across the Fox River, is a project designed to give relief to two state highways and the residents of many communities. Routes 72 and 62 currently carry about 80,000 vehicles a day over the Fox River. This excessive volume has lead to significant backups in the entire region. This is not only a significant inconvenience to our residents but also a huge deterrent to expanding the non-retail business community in northern Kane County. The cities of Algonquin, Carpentersville, Huntley, and others have industrial parks in Kane County that will benefit from Longmeadow Parkway. An expanded industrial base creates a tax benefit to all Kane County citizens as well as creating jobs and commerce.

As we are all painfully aware, the State of Illinois has financial problems that preclude any major new investments in highway infrastructure. With that in mind, the cities and villages most negatively impacted by the lack of a new bridge in northern Kane all passed resolutions asking the Kane County Board to examine other funding sources to get some long needed action toward a solution. Elected officials, representing well over 100,000 residents, made this request and are thankful for the efforts thus far.

The positive aspects of a toll bridge are that it is paid for by the users and not from tax funds. Because it is Kane County and not the Illinois Toll Authority, the tolls must and will come to an end once the bonds are paid and a predetermined road maintenance fund is established.

No one is trying to pull anything here. All that is being done is to find the best and quickest way to fund and build a badly needed river crossing, in five years or less, for the benefit of the residents of northern Kane and southern McHenry counties. In tough fiscal climates like now, we need leaders who are willing to explore nontraditional methods of funding to strengthen our transportation infrastructure for today, tomorrow and the future.

John C. Schmitt

Village President

Algonquin